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Home My WebLink About10 REMOVE CROSSWALK ON 17TH ST. 02-05-07AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 5,2007 TO: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/ENGINEERING DIVISION SUBJECT: REMOVAL OF MARKED CROSSWALK ON SEVENTEENTH STREET AT TREEHAVEN DRIVE SUMMARY Seventeenth Street was resurfaced between Carroll Way and Prospect Avenue under the FY 2005/2006 Annual Major Pavement Maintenance Program (CIP No. 7001) and the existing unprotected marked crosswalk on Seventeenth Street within the project limits at Treehaven Drive was paved over. It is recommended that the crosswalk not be repainted due to the low volume of pedestrians, the high volume and speed of the traffic, and the six lane configuration of Seventeenth Street. California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 21950.5 requires that the public be notified and be allowed to provide input regarding the permanent removal of a marked crosswalk. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 07-12, approving the permanent removal of the marked crosswalk on Seventeenth Street at Treehaven Drive. FISCAL IMPACT None BACKGROUND As part of the FY 2005/2006 Annual Major Pavement Maintenance Program (CIP No. 7001), Seventeenth Street was resurfaced between Carroll Way and Prospect Avenue. Due to concerns over pedestrian safety, the previously marked crosswalk on Seventeenth Street at Treehaven Drive was not repainted. The marked crosswalk was installed by the County of Orange and has been present for approximately 20 years. The purpose of a marked crosswalk is to inform drivers of a high pedestrian flow or unusual crossing location and to guide pedestrians by providing a marked area in which to cross a street. Unjustified or poorly located marked crosswalks may increase the likelihood of an accident. Removal of Marked Crosswalk on Seventeenth Street at Treehaven Drive February 5, 2007 Page 2 By law, motorists are required to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks. However, motorists do not always respect the rights of pedestrians, and pedestrians do not always take the extra responsibility to ensure their safety when crossing streets. At all crosswalks, both marked and unmarked, it is ultimately the pedestrian's responsibility to be cautious and alert when crossing the street. In June 2006 a pedestrian crossing study on Seventeenth Street at Treehaven Drive was completed to determine if a marked crosswalk is appropriate at this location (a copy of the study is available in the City Clerk's office and the Public Works Department). The study reviewed existing conditions at the intersection, including pedestrian volumes, vehicular volumes, accident patterns, vehicular speed and roadway geometry. Based on field data it was estimated that an average of about 33 pedestrians per day cross Seventeenth Street at this location, in comparison to over 32,000 vehicles per day traveling on Seventeenth Street. Seventeenth Street is a six-lane major arterial highway with a posted speed limit of 40 MPH and speeds clocked as high as 55 MPH. There have been eight collisions in the past five years at this location, of which one was a vehicle colliding with two pedestrians and three were rear end collisions due to vehicles braking for pedestrians in the crosswalk. None of the standard pedestrian warrants established by Caltrans for the installation of improvements such as flashing beacons, in-pavement flashing lights or a traffic signal are met at this location. Due to the low volume of pedestrians crossing Seventeenth Street at Treehaven Drive, the high volume and speed of vehicular traffic, and the six-lane configuration of Seventeenth Street, it is recommended that the crosswalk on Seventeenth Street at Treehaven Drive not be repainted. Under the CVC an unmarked crosswalk will exist so pedestrians can still cross Seventeenth Street at Treehaven Drive if they desire. The pedestrian crossing study indicates this location is safer with an unmarked crosswalk than with a marked crosswalk. If pedestrians choose not to cross at this location, they can cross Seventeenth Street at the signalized intersections of Prospect Avenue or Yorba Street. To permanently remove the marked crosswalk, eve Section 21950.5 requires that the public be notified and allowed to be heard before permanent removal. In addition to any other form of public notification, signs must be posted at the crosswalk identified for removal. Such signs were posted at the crosswalk on January 31, 2007. Tim D. Serlet - Director of Public Works/City Engineer Dana R. Kasdan Engineering Services Manager Attachments: Resolution No. 07- 12 Location Exhibit Exhibit showing existing intersection configuration prior to paving project S:\City Councilltems\2007 Councilltems\Crosswalk Removal at 17th St. & Treehaven.1.doc RESOLUTION NO. 07-12 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE REMOVAL OF THE MARKED CROSSWALK ON SEVENTEENTH STREET AT TREEHA VEN DRIVE WHEREAS, the FY 2005/2006 Annual Major Pavement Maintenance Program (CIP No. 7001) included the resurfacing of Seventeenth Street between Carroll Way and Prospect Avenue; and WHEREAS, a marked crosswalk existed for approximately 20 years on Seventeenth Street within the projE)ct limits at Treehaven Drive; and WHEREAS, a pedestrian crossing study for said crosswalk was performed which acknowledges that Seventeenth Street is a six-lane major arterial highway carrying over 32,000 vehicles per day with a posted speed limit of 40 MPH, and that an estimated 33 pedestrians per day cross Seventeenth Street at this location; and WHEREAS, the study acknowledges that this location has a relatively high accident risk and there have been eight accidents in the past five years, with one accident involving a vehicle striking two pedestrians and three rear end accidents involving vehicles braking for pedestrians in the crosswalk; and WHEREAS, standard warrants are not satisfied for installation of traffic signals, flashing yellow beacons or in-pavement flashing lights; and WHEREAS, the study concludes that the marked crosswalk should be removed, resulting in an unmarked crosswalk, as defined in the California Vehicle Code; and WHEREAS, California Vehicle Code Section 21950.5 requires that the public be notified and allowed to be heard before permanent removal of a marked crosswalk; and WHEREAS, in addition to routine notification by the City of Tustin, notification of pending removal of said marked crosswalk was posted at the crosswalk on January 31, 2006. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Tustin that said marked crosswalk shall be removed at the following location: SEVENTEENTH STREET AT TREEHA VEN DRIVE PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Tustin held on the 5th day of February 2007. Lou Bone, Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk ~~ ~ i. ~ : . -.. -.. -.. -.. -.. -.. -.. -.. -... ^MC= V 1 SV t--IS 'dl:) l J I . ), /v\ )\M ON'v'lMOH .., .-..-..-..- " . - ;>- i 5: - <f - c~ I <i f'- : 6 I M "-...r- I CD \-IONI~n\i : 0:' v I <( '^ \;j 1~)3dSO(jd : ..-..-..-... -.- J L- (J f~ \1 -j/V\ C) H l'. \j lJ3dSOdd oN Z -! z -! l:) Z <r: 0.... 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".. ~ W ~ j RIGHT IlrURN ONLY ------ !! j; ~ . ~~ /~ "# ~ !! ~ ~ <t> N t ._ Katz, Okitsu & Associates City ofTustin - 17th St I Treehaven Crosswalk Study Figure 2.1 Planning and Engineering Existing Intersection Configuration Prior To Paving Project